Written Answers Friday 16 May 2008

Scottish Executive

Alcohol Misuse

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle underage drinking in the Lothians parliamentary region.

Kenny MacAskill: In tackling underage drinking the government has implemented legislation and encouraged action which is designed to be delivered and to continue being delivered by the relevant agencies to meet the local circumstances. This has included enabling police to undertake test purchasing and encouraging local licensing boards to take tough action against licence holders caught selling to those under age. We are also providing funding for more diversionary activities for our young people and support for communities through the cashback for communities project which has already seen Edinburgh City secure over £220,000 for services. The government will also be publishing our proposals for further action on talking alcohol misuse for consultation in the summer.

Charities

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions with the UK Government to ensure that the leaflet on clothing collection charities, produced recently by the Cabinet Office and others, will be printed and distributed to households in Scotland.

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to hold discussions with the UK Government to ensure that the leaflet on clothing collection charities, produced recently by the Cabinet Office and others, will be printed and distributed to households in Scotland.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is aware of the leaflet on clothing collection charities entitled Give with Care  and has had discussions with the UK Government concerning its distribution. The leaflet is available for charities and others to print and distribute in Scotland, as in England and Wales.

Dyslexia

Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils in (a) private and (b) state education have been identified as having dyslexia.

Maureen Watt: The number of pupils with dyslexia in publicly funded schools in Scotland, identified in the 2007 census, is available in tables 1.7 and 1.9 in the statistical bulletin on the government website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00641.

  Data on pupils with dyslexia in the independent sector in 2007 are available at the following links:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/04/29101007/7.

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/04/29101007/9.

Dyslexia

Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has used a screening test or the observation method of identification to determine the numbers of children with dyslexia.

Maureen Watt: It is for education authorities to identify pupils with additional support needs including those with dyslexia. Depending on each authority’s particular preferences and circumstances, it may use screening tests and/or individual tests and assessment approaches to identify pupils with dyslexia.

Education

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what Barnett consequentials arise from the £4.65 million funding announced by the UK Government for school pupil visits to Auschwitz.

Maureen Watt: The £4.65 million, announced by the UK Government in February 2008, to pay for two pupils from schools in England to visit Auschwitz did not generate additional funding for Scotland. This funding was part of the Department for Children, Schools and Families general budget which was agreed at the October 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.

Education

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of pupils leaving each local authority secondary school in Glasgow did not enter employment, training or further or higher education in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Maureen Watt: The information requested can be found on the Scottish Schools Online website, available at http://www.scottishschoolsonline.gov.uk/index.asp .

Education and Lifelong Learning

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be provided for (a) Education and Lifelong Learning, (b) further education, (c) higher education and (d) student support in each of the next three years and how much was provided in each of the last three years.

Fiona Hyslop: Information relating to Education and Lifelong Learning funding can be found in the following documents:

  The Scottish Budget Spending Review 2007 (Chapter 22), which covers allocations for 2007-08 and projected allocations from 2008-09 to 2010-11, at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/13092240/23.

  The Scottish Executive Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007 (page 31, 32), at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/10/30102402/11 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/10/30102402/12.

  The Scottish Executive Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2006 (page 30, 31), at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/10/31084836/11 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/10/31084836/12.

  The Scottish Government funds colleges and universities to deliver a range of levels of education and does not specify levels of provision of further or higher education. Therefore there are no specific figures for funding of further and higher education.

  Colleges use their funding to deliver further education (including student support) and higher education and higher education institutions also deliver both teaching and research. It is for individual institutions to determine the balance of provision on the basis of demand and strategic direction.

  Following spending review 2007, funding for schools has been transferred to revenue support grant (RSG) for allocation to local authorities.

Education and Lifelong Learning

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding has been announced for Education and Lifelong Learning since the spending review.

Fiona Hyslop: The following additional funding has been made available during the 2007-08 financial year and will affect expenditure during the spending review period 2008-09 to 2010-11.

  Free School Meal Pilots

  In March 2008 the Government announced that it was committed to meeting the costs of extending the Free School Meal pilots from April 2008 to the end of June 2008 and made an additional £2 million available to the five authorities (Borders, Fife, Glasgow, East Ayrshire and West Dunbartonshire) undertaking these Free School Meal pilots. This funding has been made available to ensure that the 5 authorities could continue the Free School Meal pilots to the end of the school term.

  £10 Million Current Funding for HEIs

  £10 million of Current funding was made available to the higher education institutions (HEIs) to address cost pressures within the sector at the 2008 Spring Budget Revisions (SBR).

  £20 Million Current Funding for FE and HEIs

  An additional £20 million of current funding has been made available, split 50%50% between the two sectors before the 2007-08 year-end.

  - £10 million for HEIs to address cost pressures within the sector in addition to that made available at the SBR, and

  - £10 million for further education colleges to allow further strategic investment in key priority areas, such as supporting young people who need more choices and more chances; articulation, and innovative approaches to learning delivery.

Fisheries

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether consideration has been given to assist the Scottish fishing industry through a legal subsidy operating under "de minimus" state aid rules which have been increased to provide up to £23,000 per beneficiary per three-year period and which can be used to sustain fragile communities.

Richard Lochhead: I met with representatives from the Scottish fishing industry on 12 May and agreed a five-point plan of action to help them counter the effects of rising fuel prices. The Scottish Government will establish a task force to develop steps to help the industry, meet with the UK Government to discuss impact of fuel prices, continue to press the EU for a level playing field on subsidies, work with the industry to develop a fuel efficiency scheme, and offer immediate help to offset fuel costs.

  We have already committed £300,000 to extending payment of the warranty for vessel monitoring systems, and further immediate assistance will be provided through de minimis provision with £400,000 for the annual maintenance of life raft costs on every vessel in Scotland.

Flooding

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates have been made of (a) sea-based flooding, (b) coastal flooding and (c) the effects of sea level rise and storm surge in the (i) Forth, (ii) Tay and (iii) Clyde estuaries.

Michael Russell: A research project is currently underway to scope coastal flood risk in Scotland. The effects of sea level rise and storm surge are being considered as an element of this work.

  The Scottish Environment Protection Agency published in November 2007 an Indicative Flood Map of the number of properties at risk of coastal flooding (where the risk is judged to be greater than 0.5%). The Scottish Government has tabulated the data by local authority area in the following table.

  Properties Inside 1/200 Coastal Flood Zone, by Local Authority, Excludes Properties Protected by Existing Flood Prevention Schemes

  

 
 
 Coastal Flooding (Properties Affected)


 Local Authority
 Area (Km2)
 Properties
 Prop/Area
 Commercial
 Dwelling
 Properties
 Properties (%)


 Aberdeen City
 186
 114,265
 615
 30
 44
 74
 0.1


 Aberdeenshire
 6,318
 108,927
 17
 67
 379
 446
 0.4


 Angus
 2,185
 54,807
 25
 51
 857
 908
 1.7


 Argyll and Bute
 7,008
 48,754
 7
 241
 1,202
 1,443
 3.0


 Clackmannanshire
 159
 23,315
 147
 2
 19
 21
 0.1


 Dumfries and Galloway
 6,437
 73,683
 11
 36
 362
 398
 0.5


 Dundee City
 60
 75,528
 1,264
 134
 1,013
 1,147
 1.5


 East Ayrshire
 1,270
 56,373
 44
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 East Dunbartonshire
 175
 45,343
 260
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 East Lothian
 679
 43,806
 64
 78
 2,360
 2,438
 5.6


 East Renfrewshire
 174
 37,852
 218
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 Edinburgh City
 263
 240,849
 915
 190
 1,681
 1,871
 0.8


 Eilean Siar
 3,098
 14,134
 5
 53
 389
 442
 3.1


 Falkirk
 297
 71,255
 240
 169
 6,046
 6,215
 8.7


 Fife
 1,325
 172,183
 130
 123
 1,408
 1,531
 0.9


 Glasgow City
 175
 309,626
 1,773
 18
 1,434
 1,452
 0.5


 Highland
 26,162
 112,167
 4
 276
 1,024
 1,300
 1.2


 Inverclyde
 162
 40,985
 253
 52
 488
 540
 1.3


 Midlothian
 355
 35,669
 100
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 Moray
 2,238
 43,036
 19
 9
 108
 117
 0.3


 North Ayrshire
 885
 67,320
 76
 49
 683
 732
 1.1


 North Lanarkshire
 472
 149,424
 316
 3
 2
 5
 0.0


 Orkney Islands
 1,012
 10,339
 10
 52
 274
 326
 3.2


 Perth and Kinross
 5,384
 69,917
 13
 3
 69
 72
 0.1


 Renfrewshire
 262
 85,344
 326
 104
 1,276
 1,380
 1.6


 Scottish Borders
 4,739
 57,003
 12
 23
 47
 70
 0.1


 Shetland Islands
 1,467
 10,674
 7
 60
 66
 126
 1.2


 South Ayrshire
 1,224
 55,497
 45
 204
 1,275
 1,479
 2.7


 South Lanarkshire
 1,774
 143,923
 81
 20
 77
 97
 0.1


 Stirling
 2,253
 40,623
 18
 3
 248
 251
 0.6


 West Dunbartonshire
 177
 45,541
 257
 179
 1,121
 1,300
 2.9


 West Lothian
 429
 74,906
 175
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 Scotland
 78,805
 2,533,068
 32
 2,229
 23,952
 26,181
 1.0

Flooding

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to measure the vulnerability of the population to flooding, broken down by area.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government, through its in-house Geographic Information Service, has used data from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s Indicative Flood Map 2007 to produce an analysis showing the impact of flooding, which can be found on: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/09/20092209/0 .

  The Scottish Government has identified the number of residential properties and commercial premises at risk of fluvial and coastal flooding broken down by local authority area, set out in the following tables.

  Table 1, Properties Inside 1/200 Fluvial Flood Zone, by Local Authority, Excludes Properties Protected by Existing Flood Prevention Schemes

  

 
 
 Fluvial Flooding (Properties Affected)


 Local Authority
 Area (Km2)
 Properties
 Prop/Area
 Commercial
 Dwelling
 Properties
 Properties (%)


 Aberdeen City
 186
 114,265
 615
 176
 865
 1,041
 0.9


 Aberdeenshire
 6,318
 108,927
 17
 135
 1,982
 2,117
 1.9


 Angus
 2,185
 54,807
 25
 86
 935
 1,021
 1.9


 Argyll and Bute
 7,008
 48,754
 7
 49
 553
 602
 1.2


 Clackmannanshire
 159
 23,315
 147
 46
 1,082
 1,128
 4.8


 Dumfries and Galloway
 6,437
 73,683
 11
 119
 1,522
 1,641
 2.2


 Dundee City
 60
 75,528
 1,264
 24
 290
 314
 0.4


 East Ayrshire
 1,270
 56,373
 44
 310
 3,107
 3,417
 6.1


 East Dunbartonshire
 175
 45,343
 260
 271
 1,608
 1,879
 4.1


 East Lothian
 679
 43,806
 64
 120
 767
 887
 2.0


 East Renfrewshire
 174
 37,852
 218
 44
 807
 851
 2.2


 Edinburgh City
 263
 240,849
 915
 386
 6,278
 6,664
 2.8


 Eilean Siar
 3,098
 14,134
 5
 2
 72
 74
 0.5


 Falkirk
 297
 71,255
 240
 108
 4,181
 4,289
 6.0


 Fife
 1,325
 172,183
 130
 142
 2,250
 2,392
 1.4


 Glasgow City
 175
 309,626
 1,773
 241
 11,508
 11,749
 3.8


 Highland
 26,162
 112,167
 4
 255
 2,021
 2,276
 2.0


 Inverclyde
 162
 40,985
 253
 68
 552
 620
 1.5


 Midlothian
 355
 35,669
 100
 19
 332
 351
 1.0


 Moray
 2,238
 43,036
 19
 268
 3,239
 3,507
 8.1


 North Ayrshire
 885
 67,320
 76
 267
 3,264
 3,531
 5.2


 North Lanarkshire
 472
 149,424
 316
 38
 1,152
 1,190
 0.8


 Orkney Islands
 1,012
 10,339
 10
 2
 14
 16
 0.2


 Perth and Kinross
 5,384
 69,917
 13
 321
 3,671
 3,992
 5.7


 Renfrewshire
 262
 85,344
 326
 313
 4,680
 4,993
 5.9


 Scottish Borders
 4,739
 57,003
 12
 577
 4,128
 4,705
 8.3


 Shetland Islands
 1,467
 10,674
 7
 8
 7
 15
 0.1


 South Ayrshire
 1,224
 55,497
 45
 40
 764
 804
 1.4


 South Lanarkshire
 1,774
 143,923
 81
 68
 1,085
 1,153
 0.8


 Stirling
 2,253
 40,623
 18
 87
 2,909
 2,996
 7.4


 West Dunbartonshire
 177
 45,541
 257
 216
 2,110
 2,326
 5.1


 West Lothian
 429
 74,906
 175
 15
 757
 772
 1.0


 Scotland
 78,805
 2,533,068
 32
 4,821
 68,492
 73,313
 2.9



  Table 2, Properties Inside 1/200 Coastal Flood Zone, by Local Authority, Excludes Properties Protected by Existing Flood Prevention Schemes

  

 
 
 Coastal Flooding (Properties Affected)


 Local Authority
 Area (Km2)
 Properties
 Prop/Area
 Commercial
 Dwelling
 Properties
 Properties (%)


 Aberdeen City
 186
 114,265
 615
 30
 44
 74
 0.1


 Aberdeenshire
 6,318
 108,927
 17
 67
 379
 446
 0.4


 Angus
 2,185
 54,807
 25
 51
 857
 908
 1.7


 Argyll and Bute
 7,008
 48,754
 7
 241
 1202
 1,443
 3.0


 Clackmannanshire
 159
 23,315
 147
 2
 19
 21
 0.1


 Dumfries and Galloway
 6,437
 73,683
 11
 36
 362
 398
 0.5


 Dundee City
 60
 75,528
 1,264
 134
 1013
 1,147
 1.5


 East Ayrshire
 1,270
 56,373
 44
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 East Dunbartonshire
 175
 45,343
 260
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 East Lothian
 679
 43,806
 64
 78
 2360
 2,438
 5.6


 East Renfrewshire
 174
 37,852
 218
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 Edinburgh City
 263
 240,849
 915
 190
 1681
 1,871
 0.8


 Eilean Siar
 3,098
 14,134
 5
 53
 389
 442
 3.1


 Falkirk
 297
 71,255
 240
 169
 6046
 6,215
 8.7


 Fife
 1,325
 172,183
 130
 123
 1408
 1,531
 0.9


 Glasgow City
 175
 309,626
 1,773
 18
 1434
 1,452
 0.5


 Highland
 26,162
 112,167
 4
 276
 1024
 1,300
 1.2


 Inverclyde
 162
 40,985
 253
 52
 488
 540
 1.3


 Midlothian
 355
 35,669
 100
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 Moray
 2,238
 43,036
 19
 9
 108
 117
 0.3


 North Ayrshire
 885
 67,320
 76
 49
 683
 732
 1.1


 North Lanarkshire
 472
 149,424
 316
 3
 2
 5
 0.0


 Orkney Islands
 1,012
 10,339
 10
 52
 274
 326
 3.2


 Perth and Kinross
 5,384
 69,917
 13
 3
 69
 72
 0.1


 Renfrewshire
 262
 85,344
 326
 104
 1276
 1,380
 1.6


 Scottish Borders
 4,739
 57,003
 12
 23
 47
 70
 0.1


 Shetland Islands
 1,467
 10,674
 7
 60
 66
 126
 1.2


 South Ayrshire
 1,224
 55,497
 45
 204
 1275
 1,479
 2.7


 South Lanarkshire
 1,774
 143,923
 81
 20
 77
 97
 0.1


 Stirling
 2,253
 40,623
 18
 3
 248
 251
 0.6


 West Dunbartonshire
 177
 45,541
 257
 179
 1121
 1,300
 2.9


 West Lothian
 429
 74,906
 175
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 Scotland
 78,805
 2,533,068
 32
 2,229
 23,952
 26,181
 1.0

Flooding

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes are at risk of flooding in the (a) Forth, (b) Tay and (c) Clyde estuaries.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has identified the number of homes in each local authority area which are within the 1/200 fluvial and coastal flood zones shown on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s Indicative Flood Maps. These are tabulated below.

  Table 1, Properties Inside 1/200 Fluvial Flood Zone, by Local Authority, Excludes Properties Protected by Existing Flood Prevention Schemes

  

 
 
 Fluvial Flooding (Properties Affected)


 Local Authority
 Area (Km2)
 Properties
 Prop/Area
 Commercial
 Dwelling
 Properties
 Properties (%)


 Aberdeen City
 186
 114,265
 615
 176
 865
 1,041
 0.9


 Aberdeenshire
 6,318
 108,927
 17
 135
 1,982
 2,117
 1.9


 Angus
 2,185
 54,807
 25
 86
 935
 1,021
 1.9


 Argyll and Bute
 7,008
 48,754
 7
 49
 553
 602
 1.2


 Clackmannanshire
 159
 23,315
 147
 46
 1,082
 1,128
 4.8


 Dumfries and Galloway
 6,437
 73,683
 11
 119
 1,522
 1,641
 2.2


 Dundee City
 60
 75,528
 1,264
 24
 290
 314
 0.4


 East Ayrshire
 1,270
 56,373
 44
 310
 3,107
 3,417
 6.1


 East Dunbartonshire
 175
 45,343
 260
 271
 1,608
 1,879
 4.1


 East Lothian
 679
 43,806
 64
 120
 767
 887
 2.0


 East Renfrewshire
 174
 37,852
 218
 44
 807
 851
 2.2


 Edinburgh City
 263
 240,849
 915
 386
 6,278
 6,664
 2.8


 Eilean Siar
 3,098
 14,134
 5
 2
 72
 74
 0.5


 Falkirk
 297
 71,255
 240
 108
 4,181
 4,289
 6.0


 Fife
 1,325
 172,183
 130
 142
 2,250
 2,392
 1.4


 Glasgow City
 175
 309,626
 1,773
 241
 11,508
 11,749
 3.8


 Highland
 26,162
 112,167
 4
 255
 2,021
 2,276
 2.0


 Inverclyde
 162
 40,985
 253
 68
 552
 620
 1.5


 Midlothian
 355
 35,669
 100
 19
 332
 351
 1.0


 Moray
 2,238
 43,036
 19
 268
 3,239
 3,507
 8.1


 North Ayrshire
 885
 67,320
 76
 267
 3,264
 3,531
 5.2


 North Lanarkshire
 472
 149,424
 316
 38
 1,152
 1,190
 0.8


 Orkney Islands
 1,012
 10,339
 10
 2
 14
 16
 0.2


 Perth and Kinross
 5,384
 69,917
 13
 321
 3,671
 3,992
 5.7


 Renfrewshire
 262
 85,344
 326
 313
 4,680
 4,993
 5.9


 Scottish Borders
 4,739
 57,003
 12
 577
 4,128
 4,705
 8.3


 Shetland Islands
 1,467
 10,674
 7
 8
 7
 15
 0.1


 South Ayrshire
 1,224
 55,497
 45
 40
 764
 804
 1.4


 South Lanarkshire
 1,774
 143,923
 81
 68
 1,085
 1,153
 0.8


 Stirling
 2,253
 40,623
 18
 87
 2,909
 2,996
 7.4


 West Dunbartonshire
 177
 45,541
 257
 216
 2,110
 2,326
 5.1


 West Lothian
 429
 74,906
 175
 15
 757
 772
 1.0


 Scotland
 78,805
 2,533,068
 32
 4,821
 68,492
 73,313
 2.9



  Table 2, Properties Inside 1/200 Coastal Flood Zone, by Local Authority, Excludes Properties Protected by Existing Flood Prevention Schemes

  

 
 
 Coastal Flooding (Properties Affected)


 Local Authority
 Area (Km2)
 Properties
 Prop/Area
 Commercial
 Dwelling
 Properties
 Properties (%)


 Aberdeen City
 186
 114,265
 615
 30
 44
 74
 0.1


 Aberdeenshire
 6,318
 108,927
 17
 67
 379
 446
 0.4


 Angus
 2,185
 54,807
 25
 51
 857
 908
 1.7


 Argyll and Bute
 7,008
 48,754
 7
 241
 1202
 1,443
 3.0


 Clackmannanshire
 159
 23,315
 147
 2
 19
 21
 0.1


 Dumfries and Galloway
 6,437
 73,683
 11
 36
 362
 398
 0.5


 Dundee City
 60
 75,528
 1,264
 134
 1013
 1,147
 1.5


 East Ayrshire
 1,270
 56,373
 44
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 East Dunbartonshire
 175
 45,343
 260
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 East Lothian
 679
 43,806
 64
 78
 2360
 2,438
 5.6


 East Renfrewshire
 174
 37,852
 218
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 Edinburgh City
 263
 240,849
 915
 190
 1681
 1,871
 0.8


 Eilean Siar
 3,098
 14,134
 5
 53
 389
 442
 3.1


 Falkirk
 297
 71,255
 240
 169
 6046
 6,215
 8.7


 Fife
 1,325
 172,183
 130
 123
 1408
 1,531
 0.9


 Glasgow City
 175
 309,626
 1,773
 18
 1434
 1,452
 0.5


 Highland
 26,162
 112,167
 4
 276
 1024
 1,300
 1.2


 Inverclyde
 162
 40,985
 253
 52
 488
 540
 1.3


 Midlothian
 355
 35,669
 100
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 Moray
 2,238
 43,036
 19
 9
 108
 117
 0.3


 North Ayrshire
 885
 67,320
 76
 49
 683
 732
 1.1


 North Lanarkshire
 472
 149,424
 316
 3
 2
 5
 0.0


 Orkney Islands
 1,012
 10,339
 10
 52
 274
 326
 3.2


 Perth and Kinross
 5,384
 69,917
 13
 3
 69
 72
 0.1


 Renfrewshire
 262
 85,344
 326
 104
 1276
 1,380
 1.6


 Scottish Borders
 4,739
 57,003
 12
 23
 47
 70
 0.1


 Shetland Islands
 1,467
 10,674
 7
 60
 66
 126
 1.2


 South Ayrshire
 1,224
 55,497
 45
 204
 1275
 1,479
 2.7


 South Lanarkshire
 1,774
 143,923
 81
 20
 77
 97
 0.1


 Stirling
 2,253
 40,623
 18
 3
 248
 251
 0.6


 West Dunbartonshire
 177
 45,541
 257
 179
 1121
 1,300
 2.9


 West Lothian
 429
 74,906
 175
 0
 0
 0
 0.0


 Scotland
 78,805
 2,533,068
 32
 2,229
 23,952
 26,181
 1.0

Flooding

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to promote in planning guidance a presumption against planning approvals where the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has designated an area as being at high risk of flooding.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency flood map shows an estimate of the areas in Scotland with a 0.5% or greater probability of being flooded in any given year. Scottish Planning Policy (SPP)7 – Planning and Flooding characterises areas within this range as having a medium to high risk of flooding. In such areas the SPP’s Risk Framework sets out the appropriate planning response. The central purpose of the SPP is to prevent further development which would have a significant probability of being affected by flooding or which would increase the probability of flooding elsewhere.

Flooding

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met emergency planning officers to review and ensure co-ordination for emergency planning provision in the event of a major flooding event.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government works closely with the eight Strategic Co-ordinating Groups (SCGs) in each of the police force areas in Scotland, to ensure that they are prepared for the risks that might be faced in their area, including flooding. Scottish Government is in regular contact with all responders (including emergency planning staff) through these groups.

  In 2006, a National Resilience seminar was held that considered severe weather and flooding. After the flooding in parts of England during the summer of 2007, the Scottish Government wrote out to each of the SCGs asking for confirmation that they were adequately prepared to respond to similar events, should they occur in Scotland. All SCGs indicated they had assessed the flooding risk in their area, and had undertaken planning for such eventualities.

  In January 2008, Scottish Government also asked the SCGs to complete a self-evaluation in relation to extreme weather (including flooding). The results are currently being collated. Scottish Government is also planning to host an national exercise in 2009 focusing on an extreme weather scenario.

Flooding

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans are in place with the voluntary sector to cope with any major flood emergency.

Kenny MacAskill: The Contingency Planning (Scotland) Regulations 2005 place a duty upon Category 1 responders, as defined by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, to have regard to the activities of voluntary organisations.

  Voluntary sector involvement in planning will vary from area to area, according to the requirements of the Category 1 responders and the ability of local voluntary sector organisations to provide support.

Flooding

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive who would co-ordinate voluntary sector and community assistance in the event of a major flood incident.

Kenny MacAskill: The Contingency Planning (Scotland) Regulations 2005 place a duty upon Category 1 responders, as defined by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, to have regard to the activities of voluntary organisations.

  Guidance advises responders to integrate those activities at all stages of preparation in order to ensure a coordinated response to emergencies.

Flooding

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what communication strategies are in place to co-ordinate local recovery groups and focus on appropriate advice and support in the event of a major flood incident.

Kenny MacAskill: Contingency planning is primarily a matter for local responders, as defined under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. The responsibility for warning and informing the public, as well as co-ordinating the response, lies with those responders.

  In the event of a major incident, and depending on the circumstances, it is possible that the Scottish Government would invoke its emergency response arrangements. These arrangements would facilitate discussions between responders, and also co-ordinate any appropriate communications strategies. In addition, a sub-group of the Resilience Advisory Board for Scotland has been established to create a national framework for information sharing and communicating with the public.

Forensic Science

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the second supplementary to question S3O-3214 by Kenny MacAskill on 8 May 2008 ( Official Report c. 8447), when the consultation document on the future of the forensic science laboratory in Aberdeen will be published.

Kenny MacAskill: I made clear in my answer to question S3O-3214 on 8 May that I have asked the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) to look again at its proposal to integrate the Aberdeen and Dundee laboratories. I am keen that all concerned should be assured that Grampian Police and Northern Constabulary will benefit from the improvement in forensic services which the new laboratory will facilitate and that the implications for Aberdeen-based staff have been properly thought through. This re-examination will involve SPSA engaging in further discussion and engagement with interested parties which I expect to be full, open, transparent and meaningful. The details of that process are a matter for SPSA.

Fuel Costs

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in the transport sector to address the impact of peak oil.

Jim Mather: On a global level, there has been considerable debate about whether peak oil has occurred. It is the case that significant reserves remain in the North Sea and that the Scottish oil and gas industry, which is of enormous economic importance to Scotland, will remain a vital sector of our economy for decades to come.

  However, we are also clear that Scotland needs to make a transition to a low carbon economy, with an energy supply that is diverse and sustainable and which contributes to Scotland’s wealth. In transport, we are investing heavily in public transport to provide efficient alternatives to the car. We are proposing a rolling programme of electrification that will focus on the core route between Edinburgh and Glasgow (via Falkirk High) and also stretching as far as Cumbernauld, Dunblane, Stirling and Alloa. Transport Scotland is working closely with Network Rail and First ScotRail to deliver the programme of works by 2016.

  We also promote and support cycling and walking through Cycling Scotland, Sustrans and local authorities. We are actively promoting and supporting Smart Measures such as eco-driving, travel planning and green-fleet reviews and we fund Energy Savings Trust and Regional Transport Partnerships to deliver this work. We have recently launched Smarter Choices Smarter Places to encourage more sustainable travel. This project will give a number of local authorities the opportunity to implement and test intensive packages of measures to increase healthy active travel and tackle transport emissions.

  We also recognise the potential of new technologies to power vehicles without fossil fuels. Many show promise and we believe that a range of technologies and policies will be required to address the issues in relation to transport, such as lower emission vehicles, the potential of second generation biofuels and electric vehicles that could be powered by renewable electricity.

Fuel Costs

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in the agricultural sector to address the impact of peak oil.

Jim Mather: On a global level, there has been considerable debate about whether peak oil has occurred. It is the case that significant reserves remain in the North Sea and that the Scottish oil and gas industry, which is of enormous economic importance to Scotland, will remain a vital sector of our economy for decades to come.

  However, we are also clear that Scotland needs to make a transition to a low carbon economy, with an energy supply that is diverse and sustainable and which contributes to Scotland’s wealth. We have put in place a range of initiatives aimed at helping and encouraging farmers and other land managers to improve the efficiency of their operations and make more use of renewable energy, thereby reducing their use of oil and oil-based energy and products.

  Under the Scotland Rural Development Programme, grants of up to 50% are available to towards the purchase and installation of renewable energy capacity to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the business. Similar grants are available for capital projects to improve business efficiency. Grants are also available to help farmer’s access specialist advice on reducing inputs and increasing the efficiency of their operation, under the Whole Farm Review scheme.

Livestock

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings has it held with stakeholders regarding the provision of vaccines against the bluetongue virus.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has been working closely with stakeholders over a range of bluetongue disease issues, including vaccine supplies. Minutes from the meetings held are available on the Scottish Government website, at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/bluetongue.

  Most recently my officials and I met stakeholders on the 9 April. At this meeting the Scottish Government agreed to launch a procurement exercise to secure a vaccine supply for Scottish farmers. Future meetings will be held to agree the precise delivery arrangements.

Livestock

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects bluetongue vaccine to be available to Scottish farmers.

Richard Lochhead: Under the EU Bluetongue Directive vaccine can only be used in a Protection Zone. There is a risk that declaring a protection zone too early can increase the risk of disease by allowing potentially infected animals to move from other protection zones. To minimise this risk the joint Government/Industry Stakeholder Group have agreed that vaccine would most effectively be used in winter 2008 during the vector free period. This will allow animals to become protected before midge activity, and thus the risk of disease transmission, increases in summer 2009. This position will be kept under review in the light of any changes to the disease situation.

Livestock

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether its suppliers have agreed to provide necessary stocks of bluetongue vaccine to Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government’s tender for bluetongue vaccine is being conducted under EU procurement rules. It is anticipated that contract will be awarded by July 2008.

Ministerial Meetings

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have taken place between ministers and student groups since May 2007, who attended and what was discussed.

Fiona Hyslop: Meetings regularly take place between Scottish ministers and student groups. The following table provides details of all meetings which have taken place between Scottish ministers and student groups since May 2007, including who attended and topics for discussion:

  

 Minister
 Meeting with
 Topic
 Date


 Fiona Hyslop
 HE, FE, student and union representatives
 Roundtable Forum
 6 June 2007


 Fiona Hyslop
 Presidents of Student Associations of each Scottish higher education institution, President of NUS and Convener of CHESS
 Student Summit to discuss range of higher education issues
 31 August 2007


Fiona Hyslop
 HE, FE, student and union representatives
 Roundtable Forum
 23 October 2007


 Fiona Hyslop
 NUS Conference
 Speech at the NUS conference
 1 March 2008


 Fiona Hyslop
 President of NUS
 Private meeting to discuss Joint Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities
 6 March 2008


 Fiona Hyslop
 NUS and The joint Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities
 NUS contribution to Taskforce
 16 March 2008


 Fiona Hyslop
 Student representatives from around the country
 Student Summit
 28 April 2008


 Jim Mather
 UWS Student Union
 Open Forum Q&A
 25 February 2008


 Nicola Sturgeon 
 Stow College Graduation Ceremony
 Address and present awards
 15 November 2007


 Nicola Sturgeon
 Meeting Dental Students Aberdeen
 Attending Dental Institute
 21 January 2008


 Nicola Sturgeon
 Addressing Glasgow Caledonian Students re. development of policy in health and social care
 Address
 4 April 2008


 Shona Robison
 Scottish Youth Parliament Health Committee
 Public Health Issues
 23 January 2008


 Maureen Watt
 National Union of Students Scotland Conference
 Roles of students and how NUS can work with Government
 21 November 2008


Elish Angiolini QCLord Advocate
 Law School students, University of Edinburgh
 Criminal Law
 6 November 2007

NHS Hospitals

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost is of an acute occupied bed day.

Nicola Sturgeon: The average cost of an acute occupied bed day during financial year 2006-07 was £442.

  Source: ISD, Scottish Health Service Costs.

NHS Hospitals

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost is of an attendance at an accident and emergency unit.

Nicola Sturgeon: The average cost of an attendance at a hospital providing accident and emergency out-patient care is £82 for financial year 2006-07.

  Source: ISD, Scottish Health Service Costs.

NHS Staff

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time hospital doctors were employed by each NHS board in each year since 1997, also broken down by hospital in (i) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (ii) NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information for Hospital, Community and Public Health Service (HCHS) staff by contract type as at 30 September for years 1997 to 2007 has been lodged in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre under Bib. number 45616. The information requested is not available for individual hospitals.

NHS Staff

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time nurses were employed by each NHS board in each year since 1997, also broken down by hospital in (i) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (ii) NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested on the numbers of full-time and part-time nurses in each NHS board area in each year from 1997-2004 inclusive has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) under Bib. number 45615, along with incomplete proportions of full time and part time GPs for 2007. The 2007 figures are based on incomplete data, taken from the results of a national Primary Care Workforce survey. Information to Hospital level is not available centrally.

NHS Staff

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time GPs there were in each NHS board area in each year since 1997.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested on the numbers of (a) full-time and (b) part-time GPs in each NHS board area in each year from 1997 has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) under Bib. number 45614.

Prison Service

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what questions relating to drug use are asked of new prisoners when they arrive at prison and whether this information is retained.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Every prisoner, when admitted into custody, goes through health screening by a nurse. Prisoners are asked whether they have ever used solvents, drugs, alcohol and tobacco before historical and current usage is recorded and used to ascertain immediate clinical need and appropriate onward referral. A doctor then provides medical assessment and appropriate clinical intervention within the first 24 hours in custody. This information is recorded and retained in paper-based medical records.

  Following admission into custody, an Integrated Case Management process is initiated and records kept electronically.

Public Private Partnerships

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many PPP/PFI projects since 3 May 2007 have (a) been submitted to the Scottish Government for approval, and (b) received approval.

John Swinney: The "standard form" of PFI developed across the UK has not been used in Scotland for any projects which have commenced from 3 May 2007 onwards. We said before the elections that PPP could continue as one of several delivery options open to public sector bodies. Our preference is for the Non Profit Distributing (NPD) model to be used.

  For those PFI projects which were well advanced, it did not make sense to unpick these deals as this would have come at a high cost - not just money but delays in new facilities for the public. There have been ten PFI projects which fall into this category and which have received approval since last May.

Public Sector Staff

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many public sector restructuring schemes have led to employees being made compulsorily redundant in each year since 1999, broken down by sector, organisation and number of employees affected.

John Swinney: Since May 2007, the Scottish Government has given a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies as a result of any changes it progresses.

  Prior to this date the details requested should be obtained directly from individual organisations, as they relate to operational records.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much profit has been made by rail franchise operators in each year since 1999, also showing the amounts provided in public subsidy to each operator in each year.

Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Ministers became responsible for the rail franchise in Scotland on 17 October 2004, and no details are held by Transport Scotland prior to that date. Since then, the net subsidy payments made to First ScotRail under the Franchise Agreement have been:

  2004-05 (part year): £103 million

  2005-06: £201 million

  2006-07: £281 million

  2007-08: £294 million.

  First ScotRail provide certain profitability information to Transport Scotland under the confidentiality terms of the Franchise Agreement, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 45544). However, due to commercial confidentiality we are not at liberty to disclose these. Profit information is disclosed within the published Annual Report and Accounts for First ScotRail Ltd and the following operating profit figures are disclosed:

  2004-05 (part year): £2.7 million

  2005-06: £8.7 million

  2006-07: £11.4 million.

Rail Network

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why it considers it necessary to rebrand ScotRail stations and rolling stock as Scottish Rail and why it is committing at least £15 million from public funds for this purpose.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government is not rebranding to "Scottish Rail" nor is it committing £15 million from public funds.

  However, the Scottish Government are looking to create a new brand for Scotland’s railways that will improve its image at home and abroad while, critically, making savings for the taxpayer over time.

Rail Network

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation has been undertaken with stakeholders, including passenger bodies, on the Edinburgh Glasgow Smartcard project referred to in the ScotRail franchise amendment agreement.

Stewart Stevenson: The option on Smartcard will be part of the consultation which will take place on the application of the funds secured through the franchise extension.

Rail Network

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to begin the tendering process for the next ScotRail franchise.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government currently has no plans to begin the tendering process for the next ScotRail franchise.

Rail Network

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what options remain for altering the service level commitment in the ScotRail franchise agreement as amended.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answered on question S3W-11787 on 2 May 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Rail Network

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the publication of the ScotRail franchise amendment agreement, how the simplification of the fares system for rail services will benefit rail passengers.

Stewart Stevenson: Simplification of the fares structure will ensure that there are only four ticket types available. The new structure will bring greater clarity for passengers. The change is UK wide.

Rail Services

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with Transport Scotland regarding the future timetabling of rail services between Stranraer and Glasgow.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is progressing timetabling work with First ScotRail in line with proposals in Scotland’s Railways.

Rail Services

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with Transport Scotland regarding future timetabling of rail services between Carlisle and Glasgow.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is progressing timetabling work with First ScotRail in line with proposals in Scotland’s Railways.

Rail Services

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with Transport Scotland regarding future timetabling of rail services between Ayr and Glasgow.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is progressing timetabling work with First ScotRail in line with proposals in Scotland’s Railways.

Renewable Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it quantifies and communicates the greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved as a result of the delivery of renewable energy targets.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has not quantified the impact on greenhouse gas emissions resulting from delivery of the Scottish Government’s renewable energy targets. However, prospective developers are now required to estimate the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from specific projects as part of the consents process under s36 of the Electricity Act.

  The annual publication of Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland provides a measure of the trend in overall Scottish emissions. www.naei.org.uk/reports.php.

  The Scottish Government publishes a summary of this data on its website at:

  www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Environment/seso/sesoSubSearch/Q/SID/193.

Scottish Enterprise

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all members of the new regional consultative boards for Scottish Enterprise will be subject to scrutiny and regulation by the Standards Commission for Scotland.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Enterprise board will retain ultimate responsibility for decisions on behalf of that organisation and will therefore be subject to scrutiny and regulation under the ethical standards framework as overseen by the Standards Commission for Scotland. The new regional business advisory boards will operate in an advisory capacity to Scottish Enterprise and such will not be directly scrutinised by the Standards Commission.

Scottish Government Funding

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been made to the £200,000 fund, announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment at the Village Halls Summit on 23 February 2008, from (a) South Ayrshire and (b) East Ayrshire councils.

Richard Lochhead: Funding of £195,000 has been provided for 2008-09 to enable the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), to whom such enquires should be made, to provide support for non-crofting rural community bodies to draw up investment plans and seek funding for community proposals.

  This support will be provided by SCVO project officers on request from community groups. Resulting community funding applications can then be submitted to the relevant funding bodies – including the Scotland Rural Development Programme run by the Scottish Government and LEADER Local Action Groups - for support.

Scottish Government Funding

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what communications or discussions have taken place since May 2007 between it and the Scottish Funding Council on the funding of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Fiona Hyslop: Since May 2007, there has been regular discussion and communication between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council on a range of issues, including the funding of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Sovereignty

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it has had with UK Ministers and/or officials regarding Rockall since May 2007; on what dates, and whether it will list the attendees at each meeting.

Richard Lochhead: The UK has had no such discussions with the Scottish Government. The issue of sovereignty of Rockall is a reserved matter.

Teachers

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools were federated, with a head teacher having joint responsibility for more than one school, in each of the last five years.

Maureen Watt: There are no federated schools in Scotland. The management and deployment of staff in schools is a matter for the local authority employers to determine. The number of head teachers reported as working in two or more schools at the time of the census each year was as follows:

  2003: 23

  2004: 33

  2005: 46

  2006: 59

  2007: 77.